OBJECTIVE: In Denmark, human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination has been offered at age of 12 to girls born in 1996 and later. In this cohort study, we examined routine HPV vaccination uptake in immigrants and descendants from different countries and regions compared with native Danes, including the influence of socioeconomic characteristics and potential changes in uptake by birth cohort.

METHODS: In nationwide registers, we identified all girls born in 1996-2003 (n = 260 251) and obtained information on country of origin, HPV vaccinations and parents' income and employment. Vaccination was defined as receiving ≥1 dose within 2 years after eligibility for routine vaccination. Odds ratios (ORs) were estimated by logistic regression separately for birth cohorts 1996-2000 and 2001-2003.

CONCLUSION: HPV vaccination uptake varied by country and region. Most immigrants had lower uptake than native Danes, and in most groups, this was not fully explained by socioeconomic differences. Patterns in descendants were mixed. Interventions to increase uptake should be tailored to specific groups of immigrants/descendants.